ADVERTISEMENT

China and the DRC are set to sign a $6 Billion infrastructure-for-minerals agreement

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi, seen here in November 2019, has called for a warmer relationship with Israel
  • President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, is to embark on a visit to China from May 24 to May 29, aiming to sign significant economic agreements. 
  • China and Congo are set to revise and finalize a $6 billion infrastructure-for-minerals agreement, reinforcing bilateral ties and cooperation. 
  • High-level meetings were scheduled between President Tshisekedi and Chinese leaders to discuss cooperation, including discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative and strengthening trade relations.

Felix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will go to China from May 24 to May 29 and is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss and sign a number of significant economic agreements.

ADVERTISEMENT

A meeting would allow the two nations to formally revise and sign a $6 billion infrastructure-for-minerals agreement with Chinese investors. The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed the trip on Monday. The president informed the cabinet that a task committee reviewing the agreement had turned in its findings, allowing talks with Chinese partners to start soon.

The two presidents will meet while in China and take part in a ceremony to sign cooperation agreements jointly, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

"The Democratic Republic of Congo is an important country in Africa, and the friendship between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo has a long history," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Both sides have always supported each other on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns. In recent years, political mutual trust between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been continuously deepening, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results," Mao added.

Tshisekedi will also meet Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.

Additionally, China is willing to work with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to advance high-quality cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Qin Gang, the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, who met with Christophe Lutundula, the DRC's vice prime minister and foreign minister, on Monday. China is the DRC's largest trading partner and source of investment, and The DRC is the world’s largest producer of battery material cobalt. It also has significant deposits of diamonds, gold, lithium, and tantalum.

DRC, according to Qin, is China's close ally and brother. this upcoming meeting will formulate high-level plans and identify the strategic course for the advancement of bilateral ties in the future, according to Qin.

This is a Business Insider Article, for more articles like this, visit africa.businessinsider.com

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You should avoid boat rides for these 5 reasons

You should avoid boat rides for these 5 reasons

How to save a life by doing CPR during an emergency

How to save a life by doing CPR during an emergency

Avoid these 3 common mistakes when cooking fried rice

Avoid these 3 common mistakes when cooking fried rice

Okin biscuits and 9 other snacks millennials loved as children

Okin biscuits and 9 other snacks millennials loved as children

3 reasons most airplanes are painted white

3 reasons most airplanes are painted white

How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents

How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents

It's illegal to publicly celebrate your birthday in this country

It's illegal to publicly celebrate your birthday in this country

Here are Dagrin's 10 best rap verses on the 14th anniversary of his death

Here are Dagrin's 10 best rap verses on the 14th anniversary of his death

Sen Plang denies budget padding, says NASS added ₦1.5trn for critical issues

Sen Plang denies budget padding, says NASS added ₦1.5trn for critical issues

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT